The treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: challenges and hopes

With the extensive development of comprehensive therapy based on intensity modulated radiotherapy,although the recurrence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma has been significantly reduced compared with the traditional two-dimensional radiotherapy era, there are still a considerable number of patients who will relapse after radical radiotherapy. The overall prognosis of patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma(rNPC) is poor,and the treatment still faces great challenges. In recent years, with the development of new technologies, new drugs and new concepts, the efficacy and safety of rNPC therapy are gradually improving, bringing new hope to rNPC patients. Therefore, this paper will summarize, sort out and analyze the current treatment status and latest progress of rNPC, so as to provide more references for clinical treatment decision-making of r NPC.